Religious Zionists Target Yiddish Speaking Haredim for Aliyah (Video)

Rabbi Jeremy Gimpel and friends have initiated an internet campaign directed at one of the most insular and impenetrable demographics in the Jewish world: Haredi Yiddish speakers in America.

Have you ever heard the term ”Yiddish Zionist?” Well the reason you haven’t is because it didn’t exist… until now.

The Religious Zionist Movement is reaching out to the most unexpected of audiences – Yiddish speaking Ultra-Orthodox Jews.

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With the launch of their new website www.mizrachi.org, Rabbi Jeremy Gimpel and friends have initiated an internet campaign directed at one of the most insular and impenetrable demographics in the Jewish world. They are bypassing traditional obstacles to engagement with the community through a unique and entertaining YouTube campaign disseminated through their own media channels, ultra-orthodox websites, blogs and forums bringing a religious Zionist message to a demographic of Jews largely ignored by mainstream Jews.

Rabbi Gimpel is one of Israel’s premier media personalities, host of “Israel Inspired Radio” on iTunes, creator and host of the popular TV show “Tuesday Night Live” in Jerusalem and, for his day job, he serves as Deputy Director of the World Mizrachi Religious Zionist Movement.

With more than 350,000 followers on Facebook and 12 million views on YouTube, he has been featured on Fox News, CNN, BBC and Al Jazeera, voicing his opinion on Israel and the Middle East.

Rabbi Gimpel explains, “Our goal is the spread an Israel consciousness and ultimately fulfill the Jewish dream of restoring the Jewish People to our ancient home land. Smartphones and YouTube allow us to reach communities that at large would never otherwise invite us to speak at their synagogues. Using the Internet properly has the potential to change world Jewry.”

When asked why he’s targeting such a niche market Gimpel explained, “The Haredi community is full of remarkable people who make great sacrifices and dedicate their life to their beliefs. My hope for the Yiddish speaking Chassidim is that they begin to see living in Israel as a part of their religious responsibly and ultimately a part of Jewish destiny.”

The video includes powerful images of Israel throughout the land, dramatic music and Yiddish messages rooted in Jewish liturgy and Biblical texts encouraging Jews to make Aliyah, immigrate to Israel. “

One Yiddish speaking Charedei journalist has responded to video by saying, “This may be the right time to reach out to the Satmar Chassidim and other Chassidic sects. Western culture is infiltrating our communities and people are starting to consider Eretz Yisroel as a real option to raising their families in an uncorrupted Jewish environment. The State of Israel which was once seen as a threat to a Torah based life is being seen as a potential safe haven for a people who want to live a Torah based life. ”

The Message of the Video in Yiddish reads as follows:

“The Land our ancestors/fathers walked” “The Land that is being revived” “The Land we have fought and sacrificed for” “The Land we have prayed for”

The Land of Israel – “The Land that the Lord you God always seeks out. The eyes of the Lord your God are upon in from the beginning of the year until the year’s end. “ (Deuteronomy 11)

Now is our time…. For our prayer to be answered… “May we build Jerusalem… May we ingather the exiles… We are returning to the Land of Israel NOW!.

For questions or interviews please contact Rabbi Jeremy Gimpel, the Deputy Director of the World Mizrachi Movement. 054-461-1843 or Jeremy@mizrachi.org.

9 COMMENTS

Don't the Satmar blatantly reject the state of Israel?
According to Wikipedia the Satmar believe: the Zionists violated the three oaths, and thereby caused the Holocaust, as well as all wars, terrorism, and violence in modern Israel, and most anti-Semitism around the world since that time, as a result: "…it has been these Zionist groups that have attracted the Jewish people and have violated the Oath against establishing a Jewish entity before the arrival of the Messiah. It is because of the Zionists that six million Jews were killed."
Why would Israel want them? Aren't the Arabs bad and ungrateful enough?

The oath you speak about was broken by the nations long before the mass aliyah to Israel. You got to read the 1st book of the 5 books of Moses. :Those who bless the Jews will be blessed and those who hate the Jews will be cursed. Which side to you want?

It's a typo baby. But, I am glad to know the video is reaching Telz! But why is it a good thing for the video to be mindless and unconvincing? As Jews, shouldn't we want the video to be effective at getting people talking again about living in Israel? I guess it was since here we are! See you in the Good Land…

Micah Gimpel the Gemara in Sanhedrin 98a is very clear that Moshiach will not come until there is no Jewish State – so those of us who want Moshiach to come are not convinced by a poorly produced video – we want Moshiach and world Peace, not constant wars that have already killed over 20,000 of our brothers and sisters in vain – HY"D

Rabbi Joseph Kolakowski Sorry but that is not a compelling assessment of Sanhedrin 98a. The daf is jam packed with machlokes and somehow you confidently distill this one foundation of foundations. Just to caution before responding with too much gusto, Rebi Chanina states that the Moshiach will not come so long as there are Jews that are Gasei Ruach (haughty? / arrogant?). I am simply saying the source you suggest is not obviously claiming a single Jewish view on Moshiach. So with that “source” neutralized, shouldn’t the discussion focus on the value of living in the land per se? Who cares how poorly produced the video is (although I think it's quite impressive!) Does Hashem want Jews living in the Land of Israel? Does He want Jews to populate as plentiful as the stars as in the land He so promised to Avraham? If yes, then people should hope and even make efforts to move their life to Israel. If not, I would question the text of the Torah you read and wish you long, happy and healthy life in the land of your choice otherwise known as “nidachim” cast away (from the land of Israel).

If they come for the right reasons, they might cahnge their orientation. Who would have thought, a decade or two ago, that a Haredi brigade of soldiers would be such a success! When you believe that you represent a Torah true perspective there is always hope. We can never give up on a Jew only because they think differently than we would like…